Research Assistant/Associate (Climate Change and Mitigation Modelling)

Background

The Research Assistant/Associate position is on a contractual basis for a European Union funded project on Climate Change and Mitigation Modelling.

The selected candidate will get the opportunity to pursue research in our internationally recognised centre, with state-of-the-art facilities, and a team of graduate students, faculty, and full-time researchers pursuing top-quality research in the areas of agricultural robotics, systems analysis, hydrometeorology, earth systems science and coupled human-water systems. 

Project Description

COMMITTED is an international project funded by the European Commission’s Directorate on Climate (DG CLIMA) and aims to enhance sharing of good practices on greenhouse gas emissions modelling between EU and Asian countries. The overall objective of COMMITTED is to reinforce global climate change mitigation efforts by supporting the work of Asian researchers and experts on national and sectoral greenhouse gas emissions modelling.  As a part of this project, a national level energy model will be developed using the MESSAGEix framework that will help in designing low-emission scenarios for Pakistan.Research Areas:  Energy supply systems, Integrated assessment modeling, Optimization, Sustainability science, Climate change mitigation, GHG emissions, Climate transitions, National-level policies, Socio-economic implications. 

Qualification

BS and/or MS in the disciplines of engineering or science with experience in programming, numerical algorithms, modelling of engineering or natural systems, data collection, and a passion for sustainability issues in water, agriculture, energy, and technology adoption. The candidate should possess strong analytical and quantitative skills and have development expertise in the Python programming language. Knowledge of integrated assessment modeling frameworks is a plus.

Responsibilities

  • Data Preparation and Compilation: Prepare and compile data for the national energy model related to climate scenarios, projections of resource potentials, sectoral demand, GHG emissions, energy conversion processes, and spatial data related to Pakistan’s administrative, and agroecological zones. This involves collecting data from various sources, downscaling/upscaling, cleaning and organizing, and ensuring its accuracy and relevance for model inputs.
  • Development of National Energy Model: Assist in the development of a national multi-sectoral model using Integrated Assessment Modeling frameworks for energy and landuse such as MESSAGEix, GLOBIOM, FABLE, etc. 
  • Scenario Design and Analysis: In collaboration with the project team, design scenarios for the national model and conduct comprehensive analyses to evaluate the impacts of various policy options. This involves using the modeling framework to predict outcomes, interpret resulting emission and investment profiles, and studying the impact of policy actions.
  • Model Maintenance: Maintain the national model in-house on local machines, ensuring it is up-to-date and functional. This includes version control management using GitHub, troubleshooting issues, and implementing updates as necessary.
  • Collaboration and Communication: Participate actively in project meetings, workshops, and training sessions. This includes collaborating with team members, presenting findings, and contributing to discussions to enhance project outcomes.
  • Documentation and Reporting: Prepare detailed reports and documentation of model development processes, scenario analyses, and policy impact assessments. Ensure that all findings are well-documented and communicated effectively to project stakeholders.
  • Technical Support: Provide technical support to team members and other stakeholders as needed. This may involve training others on the use of the energy model, assisting with data interpretation, and offering expertise on related technical issues.

Additional Information

  • Working schedule: Standard 40 hours per week.
  • Location: WIT premises, LUMS campus. 
  • Travel: Occasional 

Applications

Please apply by sending the following documents to hrwit@lums.edu.pk with the subject line ‘Application for RA – COMMITTED.’  

  • Cover letter outlining your motivation and suitability for the position.
  • Detailed CV.
  • Academic Transcripts of all University Qualifications.
  • BS/MS Thesis